Ch. 17 The United States in WWII U.S History

Americans Join the War Effort The Japanese thought that once they attacked Pearl Harbor, America would shrink from further conflict. Japanese newspapers called us a “third- rate power” after the attack. Instead, the attack had the opposite affect on the U.S. Instead of “trembling in our shoes” as they had expected, we trembled with rage. Headlines in the U.S. shouted “Remember Pearl Harbor!” and men lined up to enlist in the military.

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense 5 million men volunteered to join the military. It was not enough to fight a war on two sides of the world, so the Selective Service System drafted another 10 million.

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense WAAC – Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps: Female volunteers served in non-combat positions WAC – Women’s Army Corps: Paid non-combat military positions with benefits Nurses, Ambulance drivers, Radio operators, Electricians, and Pilots

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense Discrimination – Lots of minorities in the US were still facing discrimination and racism and wondered why they should fight. – One African American man said, “Just carve on my tombstone, ‘Here lies a black man killed fighting a yellow man for the protection of a white man.’” Minority Contributions – Mexicans: 300,000 – Black: 1 million – Chinese: 13,000 – Japanese: 33,000 – Native American: 25,000

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense Labor – 6 million women went to work in manufacturing that contributed to the war effort. – Automotive > Shut down to make tanks, planes, boats, command cars – Mechanical Pencils > Bomb parts – Soft Drinks > Shells/explosives

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense Office of Scientific Research and Development – Improved radar – Insecticide – Penicillin – The Manhattan Project (The development of the Atomic Bomb)

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense Entertainment Industry – Hollywood put out propaganda films to support the war – Called “Hiss and Boo” movies stirred up hatred for Nazis – Other films like Song of Russia glorified our new ally, Russia so Americans would accept supporting Stalin.

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense Office of Price Administration (OPA) – Chose industries that would change to producing war materials – Tennis shoes > Army boots

Sec. 1 Mobilizing for Defense Rationing – Meat – Shoes – Sugar – Coffee – Gasoline